NLEX avoided the upset axe in a game Titan Ultra, 147-115, on Wednesday in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Road Warriors came out flat and remained tied at 65-65 with the Giant Risers at the break before pulling away behind a 37-14 third quarter to improve the league's best record to 9-2 (win-loss) in Group A.
NLEX now faces San Miguel in a marquee match-up on October 21 that would determine which between them will take the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals.
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Titan Ultra dropped to 2-9.
Deonte Burton had 11 of his 21 points in that pivotal third quarter, while embellishing another all-around effort of nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks. Robert Bolick added 20 points and eight assists for NLEX.
But NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag wasn’t pleased with the team’s flat start that saw the Road Warriors allow Titan Ultra to shoot 50 percent in the first half while turning the ball over 10 times over that same stretch.
“I’m very, very happy with our second half effort. I’m very unhappy about how we played in the first half,” said Alapag.
Joshua Munzon had a season-high 33 points for the Giant Risers.
The scores:
NLEX 147 – Burton 21, Bolick 20, Alas 19, Gonzales 17, Herndon 16, Torres 12, Winston 9, Semerad 9, Valdez 6, Rodger 6, Marcelo 4, Bahio 3, Capulong 3, Gamboa 2.
Titan Ultra 115 – Munzon 33, Brown 29, Dionisio 16, Javillonar 9, Yu 7, Inigo 6, Garcia 6, Caralipio 3, Omega 2, Ular 2, Amores 2.
Quarters: 22-27; 65-65; 102-79; 147-115.
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